Average Speed Data

What Is the Average Train Speed?

Q: What is the average speed of a train worldwide?

Taking all train types together, the global average is roughly 60–90 km/h. This is skewed by the large number of slow metro, commuter, and freight services. High-speed rail averages 200–280 km/h.

Q: Is the average speed the same as cruising speed?

No. Cruising speed is the sustained speed on open track. Average speed includes acceleration, braking, station stops, and speed restrictions. Average is typically 60–80% of cruising speed.

Q: Why is Amtrak's average speed so low?

Amtrak shares track with freight trains and lacks dedicated high-speed rail infrastructure. Curves, grade crossings, and dispatching priority for freight reduce average speed well below the Acela's 240 km/h capability.

Q: How do I find out my train's average speed?

Use TrainSpeedTest.net to track your journey. It records your GPS speed throughout the trip and calculates the average speed when you stop the recording.

Average train speeds vary enormously — from 30 km/h for city metro to 280 km/h for high-speed rail. Here are the real averages by type and country.

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The average train speed worldwide is approximately 60–90 km/h across all types. However, this varies massively: city metro trains average 30–60 km/h (including stops), regional trains 80–120 km/h, intercity 100–180 km/h, and high-speed rail 200–280 km/h.

Metro/subway average: 30–60 km/h (including dwell time)
Regional rail average: 80–120 km/h
Intercity average: 100–180 km/h
High-speed rail average: 200–280 km/h

80km/h

Global average (all types)

Approximate estimate

260km/h

HSR average service speed

TGV, Shinkansen, Fuxing

45km/h

Metro average with stops

Including dwell time

130km/h

Intercity world average

Approximate

Why Average Speed Is Lower Than Top Speed

A train's average speed is always lower than its top speed because of acceleration from stations, deceleration for stops, dwell time at stations (passengers boarding), speed restrictions through curves and junctions, and shared track sections with slower trains.

Station Dwell Time

Each station stop adds 1–4 minutes of standstill time. For metro trains stopping every 1–2 km, this massively reduces average speed compared to top speed.

Acceleration & Braking

A train reaching 300 km/h needs 3–5 minutes to accelerate and 2–3 minutes to brake. Short interstation gaps mean the train never reaches top speed.

Speed Restrictions

Curves, junctions, bridges, tunnels, and level crossings all carry speed limits lower than line speed. These reduce average speed on any route.

Average Speeds by Country

Average speeds vary enormously by country, depending on infrastructure age, investment, and geography.

Japan

Shinkansen averages 250–285 km/h. Commuter trains around Tokyo average 35–55 km/h including stops.

France

TGV averages 255–280 km/h on LGV lines. Regional TER trains average 60–100 km/h.

Germany

ICE averages 200–270 km/h on NBS lines. Regional S-Bahn averages 40–60 km/h.

UK

Intercity trains average 120–150 km/h. London commuter services average 35–50 km/h.

USA

Amtrak Acela averages 100–110 km/h (despite 240 km/h top speed). Regular Amtrak averages 70–80 km/h.

India

Rajdhani Express averages 70–90 km/h. Vande Bharat Express averages 80–95 km/h. Suburban trains average 30–45 km/h.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average speed of a train worldwide?

Is the average speed the same as cruising speed?

Why is Amtrak's average speed so low?

How do I find out my train's average speed?

Related Train Speed Resources

Guide

How Fast Do Trains Go?

Complete speed ranges for every train type.

Passenger

Passenger Train Speeds

Speeds for commuter, regional, and intercity trains.

Tool

Train Speed Test

Measure your actual GPS speed in real time.

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